Jared Dennis will have his fingers crossed when school officials meet Monday to consider the fate of Porter Middle School.
AISD has proposed a change that would mean his daughter would have to transfer to another school, even though Porter is just across the street from their apartment.
"This was a perfect location for us,” Dennis said. “That's exactly why we moved over here. Plus, I work at Toys 'R Us, which is across the street. Unfortunately, I think she has one more year that she can go here and then we find out where she goes from there."
His biggest concern is transportation, particularly because he fears new emissions test requirements could mean he’ll be unable to transport her there himself.
"I have an old vehicle so hopefully, it will pass. But if it doesn't, if she has to go further, hopefully busing will be provided for whatever school she's zoned for," he said.
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Porter Repurposed
News 8 Austin's Hermelinda Vargas looks at what the change would mean for concerned parents and students.
 
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Dennis is also worried about his daughter's new academic surroundings. Other parents have similar concerns and took the opportunity to make them known in a recent school board meeting.
According to AISD's plan, Porter students will either be assigned to Bedichek, Covington or O. Henry. Meanwhile, Porter will be converted into a leadership academy for young women. AISD Professional Development Academy, which is currently housed at the Lucy Read campus, will also be moved to the Porter grounds.
The idea is part of a larger effort to consolidate students and to
improve educational standards at Porter and other schools in the
district.
AISD says it chose Porter because it's only at 60 percent capacity, the lowest enrollment among district middle schools.
